Creative Panel Talks
10am - 7pm, Tuesday 18 August 2026
British Council Headquarters
1 Redman Place, Stratford Cross
London E20 1JQ
As part of Africa Fashion Week London 2026, the British Council Panel Talks bring together leading voices from fashion, education, media, and the creative industries to explore the future of African creativity.
10:00 - 10:30am - The Hosts Welcome
Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi – Founder of Africa Fashion Week London and a global champion of African fashion, heritage, and creative enterprise.
Overall Host of the Creative Panel Talks - Meet Bola Obileye - Fashion designer, entrepreneur, and Creative Director of Africa Fashion Week London. A connector of African creativity, culture and global audiences.
Welcoming us to the British Council HQ Creative Panel Talks is Farai Ncube - Arts and Culture Director for Africa at the British Council, who drives strategic partnerships and programmes that strengthen Africa's creative economy through innovation, collaboration, and cultural leadership.
One of the Hosts for the Creative Panel Talks, meet Samson Soboye - award-winning fashion designer, stylist and creative director who has shaped the visual identity of Africa Fashion Week London for over a decade.
The Producer of the Creative Panel Talks, Anna Marie Benedict is the Press & PR Director at Africa Fashion Week London, a creative strategist, and champion of African fashion, culture, and partnerships.
10:30 - 11:30am - Panel 1 - The Importance of African Fashion and Textiles in Higher Education
How are African design, textiles and cultural heritage transforming fashion education? Hear from academic leaders from Manchester Metropolitan University, Winchester School of Art, and Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA) as they discuss introducing the next generation of creative talent to African design voices.
Olamiposi Somoye is a Nigerian multidisciplinary designer, educator and founder of fashion brand Rayo, whose practice spans fashion, education and technology. Currently a Lecturer at USC's Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy, she has more than eight years' experience in university-level fashion and product design education, including teaching at FIDM.
Katie Greenwood is a lecturer in Fashion Design at Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University, with over 20 years of experience designing for luxury, lifestyle, and streetwear brands.
Passionate about sustainable and ethical fashion, she equips the next generation of designers with the skills to create responsibly while responding to the evolving global fashion landscape.
Overall Host of the Creative Panel Talks - Meet Bola Obileye - Fashion designer, entrepreneur, and Creative Director of Africa Fashion Week London. A connector of African creativity, culture and global audiences.
Meet Nike Awoyinka, founder of Refounding, cultural strategist, and creative economy consultant exploring the ideas, people, and movements shaping Africa and its diaspora. She is currently supporting the opening of NABA (Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti), London campus. Nike will be on the Importance of African Fashion in Higher Education panel talk.
Meet one of our Speakers on the Importance of African Fashion in Higher Education. Gavin Douglas is a Reader (Associate Professor) in Fashion Identity and Equity at Manchester Metropolitan University's Manchester Fashion Institute, where he champions equity, diversity, and inclusion in fashion education and the global fashion industry.
11:45 - 12:45am - Panel 2 - Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield: Nurturing the Next Generation of Creative Talent
Presented in partnership with the British Council Creative DNA Programme and the Paul Smith Foundation, and hosted by renowned fashion journalist Helen Jennings, this session explores creativity, collaboration and new pathways for emerging African designers and creative entrepreneurs.
Moderator of The Paul Smith Foundation Creative Panel Talk, meet Helen Jennings - Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of Nataal magazine. A journalist and cultural curator who champions African fashion, art, and creative voices globally.
Nick Hartwright is the Founder and CEO of Projekt, a pioneering social enterprise that transforms underused buildings into affordable workspaces, studios, and collaborative hubs for artists, designers, entrepreneurs, and creative businesses.
Martha Mosse is the inaugural Director of Paul Smith's Foundation, where she leads programmes that equip emerging creatives with the skills, networks, and confidence to build sustainable careers.
Renata Brenha is a London-based Brazilian fashion designer whose eponymous label is internationally recognised for its innovative approach to sustainable fashion and material transformation.
Chido Kaseke is a Zimbabwean artisan, entrepreneur, and founder of PatCh Maokoe Zimbabwe, a slow fashion brand renowned for its handcrafted eco-conscious handbags and accessories.
Founder and Creative Director of Atieno Yarns, reimagining Kenyan crochet through contemporary fashion, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling.
Welcoming us to the British Council HQ Creative Panel Talks is Farai Ncube - Arts and Culture Director for Africa at the British Council, who drives strategic partnerships and programmes that strengthen Africa's creative economy through innovation, collaboration, and cultural leadership.
2:00 - 3:00pm - Panel 3 - Creativity Beyond Borders
How is African creativity influencing the world? Join Artist and Curator, Oliver Enwonwu, Kojo Marfo (My Runway Group), Andrea Djan-Krofa (Women in Marketing Africa) and Ikanyeng Molemele (Botswana Digital & Innovation Hub) and Entrepreneur, Tola Alade as they discuss innovation, cultural influence, entrepreneurship and Africa's growing global creative impact.
Owobo Ogunde is an acclaimed actor, storyteller, and cultural custodian whose journey from Nigeria’s theatrical heritage to global screens offers a powerful perspective on creativity, identity, resilience, and the enduring influence of African stories.
Temilade Salami is a sustainability entrepreneur, climate advocate, and founder of Tuntunre, a pioneering circular fashion brand transforming discarded denim into premium products that celebrate African craftsmanship and environmental responsibility.
With nearly a decade of experience in climate action, strategic communications, and youth leadership, she has worked with global organisations including The Earthshot Prize, UNESCO, the Global Partnership for Education, HP, and C40 Cities to advance sustainability and climate solutions.
Tola Alade is a Nigerian-born founder, brand strategist and venture coach building companies that reshape how Africa is seen globally. He is the founder of DODO Rum and is o AFWL2026 Official Drinks Sponsor. Delicious!
Meet Oliver Enwonwu, an internationally acclaimed artist, curator, and publisher championing African art, culture, and creative leadership on the global stage. Oliver will be imparting knowledge on the Creativity Beyond Borders panel discussion.
Ikanyeng Molemele is a digital transformation executive, technology strategist, and Chairperson of the Botswana Digital & Innovation Hub with extensive international experience leading innovation, ICT governance, and organisational change. She is an advocate for how technology in the creative industries can transform Africa.
Andrea Djan-Krofa is the CEO of Women in Marketing Africa (WiM Africa), part of the Women in Marketing (WiM) Global network. She leads the pan-African platform advancing women in marketing, advertising, communications, and creative leadership across more than 20 African markets and the diaspora
3:15 - 4:15pm - Panel 4 - The Future of African Fashion
Hosted by Bisi Akins (All Things Africa), this lively discussion features celebrated influencer Bidemi, Ugandan designer Joan Jade and Bukky Asehinde, Founder of Tales House, London's newest luxury African fashion destination and renowned couturier and educator, Dr Avis Charles. Together they will explore brand strategies, digital influence, retail opportunities and what it takes to build globally recognised African fashion businesses.
One of the Moderators of the Future of African Fashion, meet Bisi Akins, founder of All Things Africa. Presenter, and cultural storyteller who preserves and celebrates African heritage through media, education, and curated experiences.
Joan Nantege is the founder and Creative Director of Joan Jade, an award-winning Ugandan fashion house renowned for its bespoke couture, bridalwear, and contemporary occasion wear. Joan will be presenting on the Future of African Fashion panel talk.
Bukky Asehinde is a creative ecosystem builder, entrepreneur, and founder of Bellafricana and TALES (The African Lifestyle Experience). Passionate about increasing the visibility and commercial success of African creative businesses, she has spent more than a decade creating platforms that connect designers, makers, and entrepreneurs with international markets through storytelling, strategic partnerships, business education, and market access.
Her latest venture, TALES House London, is a pioneering retail and cultural destination on Oxford Street, designed to help African and diaspora brands grow globally while celebrating the richness of African creativity.
Dr Avis Ellis-Charles is an internationally recognised couturier, fashion educator, creative director, and advocate for excellence in couture craftsmanship. With a distinguished career spanning bespoke fashion, higher education, and cultural heritage, she has dedicated her work to preserving traditional couture techniques while inspiring innovation in contemporary fashion.
Meet Bidemi Olujimi - a creative storyteller and content creator showcasing the innovation, craftsmanship, and cultural impact of African fashion. Bidemi will be presenting on the Future of African Fashion panel talk
4:30 - 5:15pm Fireside Chat - Heritage & Identity
We conclude the day with an intimate conversation hosted by Samson Soboye, featuring multidisciplinary artist Asiko exploring how heritage, identity and storytelling continue to inspire contemporary African design.
Asiko is a contemporary multidisciplinary artist whose practice explores identity, memory, heritage, and the evolving narratives of African life.
One of the Hosts for the Creative Panel Talks, meet Samson Soboye - award-winning fashion designer, stylist and creative director who has shaped the visual identity of Africa Fashion Week London for over a decade.